Joshua Gibbs

Where I’m Calling From: Gibbs In Maine

The family in Bar Harbor, about three minutes from a downpour.

Rethinking Scope And Sequence

“Because we are all crypto-Marxists, we think it best to lay out our Humanities curriculum chronologically, as though books from the sixteenth century have more in common than British books (common by place), Catholic books (common by dogma), or philosophy books (common by discipline) from different centuries. The idea that time dominates all other themesContinue reading “Rethinking Scope And Sequence”

I Am Not Saying

“Look, I am not saying the man is perfect, I just get very angry whenever anyone talks about any of his faults.”

“Water Is Life”

Tom: Hey, wanted to ask you a question about your sign. Harry: We’re very passionate about social justice. Tom: Sure. I just wanted to know what “WATER IS LIFE” means? Harry: Huh? Tom: Your sign says you believe “WATER IS LIFE.” I don’t get it. Harry: Oh, right. Well… I have to admit, I’m notContinue reading ““Water Is Life””

A Short Play About Dead Poets Society

Tom: Have you seen Dead Poets Society? Harry: No. Tom: It’s so good. There’s one scene where this teacher actually stands on a desk during class. He gets his students so pumped. Harry: No way! Tom: I know, right? Harry: Man, I wish one of my teachers had stood on a desk during class. Tom:Continue reading “A Short Play About Dead Poets Society”

In Praise Of Elementary School Pedagogy & Elementary Teachers

“While the most ready icons of a classical education may be Aristotle and Homer, I genuinely believe that the most classical pedagogy that can be found in a classical school is found in the elementary school classroom, not the high school classroom.” -from my latest for CiRCE

What Is Worse Than A Dull Church?

What is worse than a dull church? A church which is not dull enough. If a church is not a little dull, it will only last a little while. Dull churches do not die. Exciting churches die rather quickly.

I Don’t Love Group Projects

“If you’ve ever walked into a classroom and it looked like the students weren’t doing anything, there is a good chance they were working on a group project.” -from Seven Skeptical Thoughts About Group Projects

Buy Your Children Basic Toys

“A little girl with a good imagination can make one cheap, stuffed doll do all the things that a dull-witted girl needs an army of expensive, mechanical dolls to accomplish. A mechanical doll will say, “Play with me,” and suck its thumb. A cheap, stuffed doll will deliver Pericles’ funeral oration while cooking pretend chickenContinue reading “Buy Your Children Basic Toys”

On Christian Cults

You’d think that people would catch on to the fact that churches with night club names (“Dwell,” “Lift,” “Sponge”), pastors in jeans, and killer Instagram accounts go hand-in-hand with news stories like this one. If you want a church that’s not going to get hit with corruption charges, you want a place with a nameContinue reading “On Christian Cults”